Domesticity
CAE, Architecture, Fall 2025, Saturdays 9:30-12:30, CFA 214
Course Website: https://sites.google.com/andrew.cmu.edu/caehsf25?usp=sharing
Prof. Owen Petrucci (he/him)
Email: opetrucc@andrew.cmu.edu
Prof. Cynthia Zhang (she/her)
Email: cynthiaz@andrew.cmu.edu
FALL 2025 SYLLABUS
Description:
Domesticity examines the conceptualization of a new, dual-domesticated symbiotic architectural typology. This studio will explore the relationship between domesticated architectural occupants and new domesticated fauna to establish a symbiosis directed through architectural design. This studio aims to establish a new pedagogy of architectural thinking across permeability, occupancy, spatial designation, and construction methods. The studio will develop a small portfolio project that includes sketches, hand-drafted orthographic drawings, and conceptual models.
The Work:
Domesticity as an exploration of the domesticated conditions of both the human populus and the animal populus will take place on a variety of scales to address the multitude of perspectives and challenges that hybrid conditions necessitate. The varying scope of this work will require each individual to work on multiple perspectives simultaneously, requiring individuals to holistically understand their project. This course will develop this unique form of thought through multiple mapping and design exercises. It is important to understand the impact of each design decision on all levels from local to larger global. Success in doing so is an active participation in course material and discussions. This unique skill is invaluable in architecture and forms the basis of many high-level conversations. The teaching team will lead you through these processes and push you to expand your perspectives. In engaging with the teaching team and directly addressing their concerns a far greater educational value can be taken from this course. We aim to offer you these skills for your future success in design and creative action.
Provocation:
From the fifties and onwards the systematic expansion of the suburban condition has proliferated across urban centers of all categories, subgeneres, and populations. During this development several key theorists have critiqued and offered counter-movements to the spread of these wasteful conditions. With urban centers growing rapidly and the embedded cultural practice within North American populous to promote suburban living, a counter-movement is no longer feasible. Instead we as architects, designers, and creatives-alike must begin to generate new forms that address the key frontages that these forms create. Looking at the primary frontage of suburbs as the transition between suburban and rural there becomes a new form necessitated as these two categories grow increasingly intertwined. This overlap will need to address the unique cultural fields of both of these instances while maintaining an overlap between the conditions. A softer edge is needed as this nation grows ever-so polarized in many regards.
Pedagogy:
Architecture is for everyone. No one individual should be denied architectural access or understanding. There should be no barriers to entry. Architectural interests should not be limited, controlled or denied by any individual. It is the role of the architect and the architectural field to uphold these values through open education that is limitless. Architecture is not a discussion among architects but among many. To deny access, understanding or interest is a crime. Each and every voice is important. As a teaching team we wish to help you speak out with your unique voice. Your voice is as important as ours.
Skills:
After this course you should be able to:
Formulate connections within the spatial domain
Generate intermediary conditions that operate within conflict and connection
Generate a field of connections and conflict
Spatialize data meaningfully
Understand the root of domesticity
Understand the physical manifestations of domesticity
Understand the components of domesticity
Understand emergent patterns of domesticity
Critically analyze domesticity through a creative lens
Understand the systems operating under domesticity
Understand the systems comprising rurality
Critically analyze rurality through a creative lens
Understand the patterns of rurality
Understand the individual components of rurality
Create effective diagrams
Create typological hybrids
Document architectural work in a professional manner
Create professional-grade drawings and arguments
Defend your unique architectural stance
Work along several scales of thought
Lectures:
Lectures aim to establish the importance of our architectural study and its respective concepts as well as to form a fundamental, comprehensive understanding of the basis of architectural design and the process it follows. Lectures provided in this course will be posted to the course website after class and will be available to anyone with the link for referential purposes.
Taking Notes:
This course will cover a large number of core architectural concepts in-depth. Taking notes is not required for this course but welcomed and beneficial to those who wish to pursue the career. You may take notes on your phone, tablet, or on a notepad. I do not recommend bringing a laptop to take notes on.
Office Hours:
There are no official associated office hours established in this course. However, it is possible to set-up additional help outside of class time on an as-needed basis. Please contact the instructor directly through email if you require additional help on concepts or wish to bring up concerns.
Readings:
There are no readings associated with participation in this course.
External Resources:
There are no external resources required for the completion of this course.
Schedule
(11-01-2025)
Day 1:
Content:
Defining domesticity on an individual level
Location:
College of Fine Arts, 214
Time:
9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Work:
Semantic Mapping
(11-08-2025)
Day 2:
Content:
Establishing A Domus as a System
Location:
College of Fine Arts, 214
Time:
9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Work:
Examination of the Domus Locally Alongside Global Geospatial Pattern Mapping
(11-15-2025)
Day 3:
Establishing the Fundus as a System
Location:
College of Fine Arts, 214
Time:
9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Work:
Examination of the Fundus Locally Alongside Global Geospatial Pattern Mapping
(11-22-2025)
Day 4:
Hybridization
Location:
College of Fine Arts, 214
Time:
9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Work:
Typological Hybridization in Spatialized Composite Drawing
Policies
Instructor Feedback:
As both instructor and student are learning together, it is important for feedback to flow in both directions. Any feedback regarding the quality of material, difficulty of the course, workload, schedule, or any matter relating to this course is openly invited to the course website, open discussion, or one-on-one conversation.
Land Acknowledgement:
Carnegie Mellon University stands on land that is part of the Haudenosaunee, Lenape, Osage, and Shawnee peoples. While this Acknowledgement cannot in its own undo the irreversible damage done to these groups, it is in enduring conversation of these people that we hope mends can emerge over time. Let this be a reminder that these groups can be recognized, and the conversation can be started at any moment.
Attendance / Missing Class:
While attendance in this class is up to the participant, it is highly encouraged for each individual to attend all classes whenever possible. Attending class allows for the discussion to grow and generate a more comprehensive discourse on the relations we will be exploring. Letting the instructor know of a planned absenteeism ahead of the scheduled course timeslot is appreciated and will open the door for opportunities to stay engaged in the course while absent.
Grading:
There are no official grades assigned to this course. Take advantage of this. Do something meaningful and productive with this freedom. This is meant to encourage creative expression, promote discussion, and generate a more comprehensive learning environment. I suggest finding your balance between treating this course as both graded in productivity and ungraded in meaning.
Code of Conduct & Personal Responsibility:
Each individual is responsible for adequately preparing themselves for course time however they see fit. We should aim to be conducive to the environment we want to foster and the cultures we wish to establish.
Academic Integrity (Cheating & Plagiarism):
As this course aims to address complex relations on a personal basis, cheating and/or plagiarism will not be helpful. Should you encounter an issue with workload, comprehension, or pace; it is best to open yourself to support. Should one resort to cheating there will be discussions on how to redirect and ameliorate the situation.
Special Needs, Accommodations & Disabilities:
As an individual with a disability, I understand that self-advocacy offers itself as a challenge. Understand that I will provide accommodations as needed without questions asked.
Inclusion, Diversity, Freedom of Expression, Discrimination & Bias Reporting:
I intend that students from all backgrounds and perspectives be well-served by this course and the discourse it aims to establish between diverse groups. I acknowledge that each student brings a unique background to the class. I see this diversity as a resource, strength, and benefit to all. I seek to present materials and activities that are respectful of all your diversities: gender identity, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, nationality, geographic origin, religion, culture, and more. I very much look forward to not only engaging with, but also promoting each of your own unique identities in this course. I hope that we all can grow together.
CMU’s Freedom of Expression policy states that CMU “values the freedoms of speech, thought, expression, and assembly, in themselves and as part of our core educational and intellectual mission… The university must be a place where all ideas may be expressed freely and where no alternative is withheld from consideration. The only limits on these freedoms are those dictated by law and those necessary to protect the rights [and safety] of other members of the University community and to ensure the normal functioning of the University.”
If any class time conflicts with religious or personal events amendments can be made swiftly.